A term we often hear about, especially in circles of athletes and runners is tendonitis. Tendonitis literally means overuse and inflammation of the tendon. The tendon is the area of your body that connects the muscle to the bone and allows your body to move. They come in all shapes and sizes.
Tendonitis occurs when the tendon gets irritated from being moved outside of its regular motion. It becomes inflamed and the movement becomes painful.
There are several reasons for tendonitis:
- Overuse of the area: This is especially true for those who have recently begun or increased their level of an exercise routine, as the tendon is unfamiliar to the new level of exertion.
- An age factor: Tendons lose their elasticity as we age and the ability to move as smoothly as we once did is lost.
- Anatomical alignment: If the tendon does not have a smooth channel to glide along, it’s more likely to become irritated and inflamed. In this case, surgery may be necessary.
Tendonitis can occur in any area of the foot or ankle. The most common are peroneal tendonitis and Achilles tendonitis. We employ a number of physical therapy modalities for treatment, along with immobilization and anti-inflammatories.
If you experience tendonitis, it’s important to request an appointment right away to see what treatment options are available for you.